Chapter 232: The Minister’s Idea
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 232: The Minister's Idea
April 13
The entire school was in the Great Hall celebrating the beginning of the last trimester.
Harry had returned home for the break since he didn't have any urgent business to complete on the outside at the moment.
He spent most of his free time keeping company with his little sister while his mother worked on preparing for the end of the school year. She had a lot of work for the senior students.
He spoke several times with his father, James. Things at the Ministry had become even worse. Parkinson and his followers were trying their best to remove anyone who disagreed with their political views or refused to follow orders blindly.
Those close to him continued to receive promotions while others, like his father, found themselves either being demoted or fired.
It was only thanks to Amelia Bones, who still had a lot of influence in the Ministry, that he was able to keep his job at all. But he was still delegated to a desk job with little to no authority.
It wasn't like James needed the money. He could quit at any point if he wanted to. But if the few people willing to oppose the Minister were to quit…things could spiral out of control very quickly. This was the main reason for people like James, Dawlish, or Alastor Moody to remain there.
But Minister Parkinson still has one big hurdle to overcome if he wants to have complete control over the country. He needs to rid himself of Albus Dumbledore.
Not only is he the Headmaster of Hogwarts, but also the Chief Warlock in the Wizengamot and the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.
His influence could even surpass that of the Minister in certain matters. For as long as Albus Dumbledore is allowed to remain, Parkinson will never have complete authority, and he is very much aware of this fact.
Harry thought for a while but could not think of anything that Parkinson could do to get the old man removed from his several positions of power.
'Unless something major were to occur in the castle…something that the Minister could put the full blame on the Headmaster…like a very serious crime or some incident that caused the deaths of several students.
"Attention everyone!, I need a minute of your time." While Harry was lost in his thoughts, the Headmaster walked to the podium in order to make an announcement.
"Who is that ugly woman next to the Headmaster?" Ron asked while pointing at a short woman wearing a ridiculously pink dress and a wide smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Ron, that is so rude!" Hermione complained.
"Well, she is very unpleasant to look at…that smile gives me the creeps," Lavender said with a deep frown on her face.
"Does anyone know who she is? I doubt they would be introducing a new professor this late." Parvati stared at the woman with interest.
"That is Dolores Umbridge. A bootlicker from the Ministry with too much authority," Harry said.
"Oh, I've heard that name before!" Fred exclaimed.
"That's the one who keeps trying to get our dad fired from the Ministry," added George.
"I heard Mum speak about her…" Ginny mumbled. "Said that she is the nastiest woman she had ever met…"
"Attention please." Dumbledore spoke again.
"Tonight, we have a representative from the Ministry with an important announcement to make."
"Ehm Ehm…" The woman pretended to cough before lightly pushing the old Headmaster away from the podium.
"I can take it from here, Headmaster."
Dumbledore found her rude attempts very amusing.
"Of course, Madam Umbridge. Go ahead." He moved aside.
"I am Madam Umbridge!" She exclaimed a lot louder than necessary.
"I represent the Grand Minister Parkinson himself. This means that my words shall be taken with the same level of authority and respect as you would give the Minister himself!"
She glanced down at a paper she was holding and gave it a quick read before continuing.
"This school has recently been involved in an unfortunate incident involving some Dementors. The current Minister, in his infinite kindness, has decided to compensate the students for that terrible experience."
Murmurs in the hall grew louder.
"Does she mean those clouds that appeared during the Quidditch game?"
"Compensation?"
"What is she talking about?"
"What is the Ministry going to give us?...you think it's money?"
"Ron, they are not going to give us money…" Neville sighed.
"Silence!" Umbridge screamed before slamming her hand on the podium.
Once the students calmed down a bit, she continued.
"Do not interrupt me like that again! Now…where was I?...ah yes, compensation."
She glanced at the paper again.
"On June 1, the Ministry will be hosting a wonderful party here at Hogwarts. There will be luxurious meals and a music band for the dance. You will receive more details by owl in the next few days."
"A party?" Lavender said with excitement.
"A dance?!" Parvati added.
"Oh! That sounds fun!" Lyra said.
"So, no money then?..." Ron said with disapointment.
"What kind of party will it be?" Neville asked.
"Food and stuff?" Seamus shrugged.
Everyone around him appeared to be excited about the prospect of a party by the end of the year.
Harry was the only one who didn't seem delighted in the slightest.
'So this is it then…a great chance to give free access to the castle to anyone the Minister wants…'
A party hosted by the Ministry would mean that guests from said Ministry will be expected, as well as personnel bringing things like food and decorations.
Because of this, it would not be weird for the Minister to request Hogwarts wards to be temporarily disabled.
Or at least, that's what Harry thought at that moment.
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